Tag: Starship

Starship Reaches Orbit for First Time on Flight 14

The New York Times reports that SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time Monday during its 14th test flight, marking a major milestone for the company’s next-generation launch system. The achievement is an important step toward Starship’s planned roles in deploying satellites and supporting future missions to the moon and Mars, with the Times noting that the vehicle first “has to enter orbit” to accomplish those goals. Starship went on to deploy 26 Starlink satellites, its first operational payload, after reaching orbit.
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)



Video

SpaceX Starship launches to orbit for first time (Launch occurs at the 0:15 mark).
VideoFromSpace; YouTube

Starship Flight 14 Fully Stacked Ahead of Possible Monday Launch

Spaceflight Now reports that SpaceX has fully assembled the Starship vehicle for Flight 14 at Starbase, stacking Ship 41 atop Super Heavy booster B21 ahead of a probable fueling demonstration. The mission could launch as early as September 28, but “first SpaceX needs to receive regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).” Ship 41 traveled roughly three miles from the production site before being “lifted by the launch tower’s chopsticks and carefully placed atop” the booster.
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

Starship Heat Shield Tech is Not Viable for Rapid Reuse, Say Experts

According to Ars Technica, SpaceX successfully launched its Starship vehicle on Friday and appeared to demonstrate important and credible steps toward fulfilling the massive rocket’s immense promise. As soon as the vehicle’s next flight, Starship could go orbital, begin delivering satellites into space, and potentially return to the launch site to be ‘caught’ by the tower. One key issue—probably the key issue when it comes to Starship’s future—remains unresolved.
Full Story (Ars Technica)

SpaceX’s Starship V3 Reaches Key Milestones Despite Booster Loss

Aviation Week reports, “SpaceX completed a full suborbital flight of the latest version of its Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle on May 22, achieving several key milestones for ‘Version 3’ even as it lost its first-stage booster shortly into the flight.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)

Video

SpaceX Starship V3 flip and landing burn.
VideoFromSpace; YouTube; Framegrab

SpaceX Launches Improved Starship Rocket in Latest Development Milestone

CBS News reports, “SpaceX on Friday pulled off a test launch of its latest Starship megarocket. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood has the latest.”
Full Story (CBS News)

Video

SpaceX launches Starship V3. (Launch at the 6:58 mark)
Avid Space; YouTube; Framegrab

Starship V3 and Launch Pad 2 Set for Debut Mission May 19

Spaceflight Now reports, “SpaceX is now targeting no earlier than Tuesday, May 19, for the long awaited debut of the third major iteration of its Starship-Super Heavy rocket.” The mission will test a host of changes made to both the launch vehicle and the launch infrastructure as SpaceX prepares to support the Artemis 3 mission.
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)

SpaceX Tests V3 Starship Booster in Key Pre-Launch Milestone

SPACE reports SpaceX “conducted a static fire test” with the first stage of its V3 Starship on Monday (March 16), a milestone moment for this bigger, more powerful megarocket. “It was the first-ever static fire for a Version 3 (V3) vehicle — the latest iteration of Starship, which SpaceX is developing to help humanity put boots on the moon and Mars.”
Full Story (SPACE)